SOLUTION: My son has the below homework problem. I tried to help him, but it's been a while since I had algebra and I've long since forgot a lot of the rules. Any help that you can give woul

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: My son has the below homework problem. I tried to help him, but it's been a while since I had algebra and I've long since forgot a lot of the rules. Any help that you can give woul      Log On


   

Question 52067: My son has the below homework problem. I tried to help him, but it's been a while since I had algebra and I've long since forgot a lot of the rules. Any help that you can give would be more than appreciated!!

Peter says that the following equations are two ways to write the SAME formula. Solve them both for the same variable to decide whether or not you agree with Peter. Explain how you made your decision, based on solving for variables.
p= (r-1)/r p/(p+1)= r


Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
1) p+=+%28r-1%29%2Fr
2) p%2F%28p%2B1%29+=+r
Let's solve equation 2) for p and see if it matches equation 1).
2) p%2F%28p%2B1%29+=+r Multiply both sides of the equation by (p+1).
2a)p+=+r%28p%2B1%29 Apply the distributive property to the right side.
2b)p+=+rp%2Br Subtract rp from both sides.
2c) p-rp+=+r Simplify this by factoring out the p on the left side.
2d) p%281-r%29+=+r Now divide both sides by (1-r).
2e) p+=+r%2F%281-r%29 You can rewite this as:
2f) p+=+-r%2F%28r-1%29 Now compare this with equation 1)
1) p+=+%28r-1%29%2Fr
You can see that equation 2f) is the negative reciprocal of equation 1) so Peter is incorrect in his statement.